THE KINETICS OF BACULOVIRUS ADSORPTION TO INSECT CELLS IN SUSPENSION-CULTURE

The influence of various culture parameters on the attachment of a rec ombinant baculovirus to suspended insect cells was examined under norm al culture conditions. These parameters included cell density, multipl icity of infection, and composition of the cell growth medium. It was found that the fractional rate of virus attachment was independent of the multiplicity of infection but dependent on the cell density. A fir st order mathematical model was used to simulate the adsorption kineti cs and predict the efficiency of virus attachment under the various cu lture conditions. This calculated efficiency of virus attachment was o bserved to decrease at high cell densities, which was attributed to ce ll clumping. It was also observed that virus attachment was more effic ient in Sf900II serum free medium than it was in IPL-41 serum-suppleme nted medium. This effect was attributed to the protein in serum which may coat the cells and so inhibit adsorption. A general discussion rel ating the observations made in-these experiments to the kinetics of re combinant baculovirus adsorption to suspended insect cells is presente d.